Strauss given the job

Star batsman Andrew Strauss has been given the England captaincy ahead of next week's first Test against Pakistan at Lord's.

However, selectors have indicated that it is a only a temporary assignment until allrounder Andrew Flintoff returns to the international scene from injury.

Strauss will be the first Middlesex player since John Emburey in 1988 to lead England in a Test match.

The top order batsman will also be hoping for a different result as captain in the upcoming series against Pakistan after he suffered a 5-0 defeat at the helm in the recent one day internationals against Sri Lanka.

The nomination of Flintoff as the first-choice captain, however, suggests he will be the man chosen to lead England in the Ashes series against Australia at the end of the year if regular skipper Michael Vaughan fails to recover from knee surgery in time, as is currently expected.

Strauss told the BBC he had no complaints about his role as a temporary captain.

"I fully respect the decision the selectors have taken and will be happy to play under Andrew's captaincy," he said.

"He proved to be an inspirational captain in the Test Series in India and everyone in the dressing room is hoping that he can make a speedy return to the side."

He added: "It will be a great honour to captain England in a Test Match for the first time and to lead the team out at Lord's will be a special moment for me."

Strauss will find out which players he will be leading in the opening Test when the rest of the squad is announced early next week.